A RECORD number of Community Speed Watch groups were deployed across the county today to improve road safety and reduce speeding, and included two villages in Craven - Carleton and Embsay.

PCSOs also visited one location in Skipton to provide further high-visibility support for the scheme

More than 20 volunteer groups took part and was the county’s biggest ever turnout of Community Speed Watch groups on a single day.

Volunteers used a number of approaches, including monitoring speeds and providing high-visibility deterrents, to encourage motorists to observe speed limits and drive carefully in villages, suburbs and other residential areas.

They were supported by North Yorkshire Police’s safety camera vans.

The deployments mark a nationwide campaign by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, to reduce speeding.

Jamie Smith, of North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureau, said the record turnout sends a clear message to motorists that communities welcome careful drivers but will not tolerate speeding, careless driving or other behaviour that needlessly puts lives at risk.

“We’re extremely grateful to volunteers for the fantastic turnout.

“It shows how much people care about this issue and support North Yorkshire Police’s attempts to tackle speeding.”